*************************
The gates of the Vayne Mansion rose like something out of a royal drama — black iron, silver accents, and guards who looked like they'd fought wars and won.
Lian stepped nervously beside Arion, clutching the strap of his small bag.
"This house is… huge," he whispered.
Arion looked down at him, a rare softness in his eyes.
"You don't have to be nervous."
"That makes me more nervous!" Lian whispered louder.
Arion actually smirked.
"…Then just stay close to me."
Lian's ears burned instantly.
Great. Perfect. He needed emergency medical services already.
As they entered the grand foyer, Lian froze entirely.
Marble floors. Gold-trimmed pillars. A chandelier that looked like it cost more than his entire neighborhood.
Lian whispered, "I feel like I should take my shoes off—"
"You will not take your shoes off," Arion said firmly.
"Should I… bow?"
"To who?"
"Everything! The furniture! The chandelier—!? It looks expensive!"
"…Lian."
Arion put a hand on his back, guiding him gently.
"You're safe. Just walk."
Lian squeaked but complied.
Farrah glided down the staircase like she ruled heaven and earth.
"Ahh, my favorite Brother in-law!" she sang.
Lian blinked. "…Me?"
"Of course you! You're adorable."
She cupped his face dramatically.
"Why didn't you tell me you were this cute when you are tense?"
Arion exhaled sharply.
"Farrah. Please."
"What? I'm allowed to appreciate beauty."
Farrah winked at Lian.
"If Arion mistreats you, tell me. I'll throw him into the fountain."
Lian laughed nervously.
"No, no! He's been… nice."
Arion looked away.
Farrah's eyes gleamed.
"Oh? Nice? Interesting."
Arion cleared his throat loudly.
"We should go to the dining room."
Farrah snickered like she'd discovered a delicious secret.
------------------------------------------------
The dining room was massive — a long polished table, dozens of chairs, and at the very end…
Elder Vayne.
Sitting like a king.
Looking like a judge.
Radiating "I built this empire with blood and steel."
Lian's throat dried instantly.
Elder Vayne's gaze slowly tracked to him, sharp as a predator's.
"So," the elder said, voice deep and unimpressed,
"You are Lian Veris."
Lian bowed politely.
"Good… evening, sir."
Elder Vayne hummed, neither pleased nor bothered.
Arion took the seat beside Lian, deliberately close.
Farrah sat opposite them, ready for fireworks.
A servant poured tea.
Elder Vayne's eyes assessed Lian as though reading a résumé.
"What is your education?"
"I-I graduated with a marketing diploma, sir."
"Hm."
A nod.
Not bad.
Not amazing.
"Your family?"
"They're, um… middle-class."
"Hm."
Another nod.
Neutral.
"And you—what skills do you bring to the Vayne family?"
Before Lian could answer, Arion's jaw tightened.
"Grandfather—"
But Lian raised a hand slightly — asking for a moment.
Arion stopped.
Lian swallowed and said softly,
"I may not have a prestigious background. But I am willing to learn. And I value families — both yours and mine."
Elder Vayne studied him.
Lian continued, voice calm despite trembling hands:
"And I know how important Arion and the Vayne Corporation are. I won't stand in the way of that."
The room fell silent.
Even Farrah paused.
Elder Vayne's gaze sharpened.
"You're honest. Most people would lie."
Lian blinked, surprised.
"That is… good."
Arion almost choked.
Did his grandfather just… compliment Lian?
Dinner arrived — elegant dishes, served course by course.
Elder Vayne suddenly asked,
"Lian. Tell me honestly — do you love Arion?"
Arion immediately stiffened.
"Grandfather—!"
Lian panicked.
LOVE?!
What love?!
They barely knew how to stand next to each other without melting!
"A-Ah— I-I— That is—"
Farrah almost spat out her drink from laughing.
Elder Vayne raised a brow.
"Well?"
Lian squeaked.
"I… respect him!"
Arion coughed violently.
Farrah wheezed.
"Respect! Oh sweet stars—"
Elder Vayne hummed again, unreadable.
"And Arion. You — do you care for him?"
Arion froze.
For the first time tonight… he looked unsure.
But only for a second.
Then he answered.
"…I do."
Lian's heart performed a somersault.
Farrah froze mid-bite.
Elder Vayne's fingers drummed the table.
"And is that… enough for a lifelong bond?"
Arion's eyes shifted to Lian — warm, steady, soft.
"It's enough for now," he said quietly.
"And it will grow."
Lian's soul left his body.
Farrah mouthed: OH. MY. GOD.
Elder Vayne leaned back.
"Hm."
It was the sound of approval.
A rare one.
A mythical one.
After dinner, Farrah practically dragged Lian to the mansion garden.
"You passed!" she whispered loudly.
"I've never seen the old man approve anyone this fast!"
"I-I did?" Lian gasped.
"YES! Do you know how many Omegas he rejected for Arion? Ten! Maybe more!"
"I— what? Why?"
Farrah sighed dramatically.
"Because Arion is a disaster."
"Hey," Arion said from behind them.
They both jumped.
"I didn't mean it," Farrah lied instantly.
"You absolutely meant it," Arion responded.
Lian giggled.
Arion's eyes flickered to him — softening for a split second.
Farrah caught it.
Oh, she definitely caught it.
Her grin widened.
"I like you, Lian," she said. "Stay. This family needs someone gentle. And someone who scares Arion."
"I don't scare—"
Arion started.
Farrah shushed him.
Lian laughed again — a soft, warm sound.
Arion watched him like that laugh lit something inside him.
As Lian chatted with Farrah, Elder Vayne approached Arion.
"You're different," the old man said.
Arion frowned. "How so?"
"You defend him instinctively."
Arion tensed.
Elder Vayne continued, voice low:
"That's not how you behave with people. That's how you behave… when someone matters."
Arion stayed silent.
The elder glanced at Lian.
"He's not from a prestigious family. Not trained for our world. But he adapts. And he is sincere."
A pause.
"Do not waste that."
Arion's chest tightened — strangely, unexpectedly.
"…I won't."
********************************************************
As they stood outside waiting for the car, Lian let out a breath he'd been holding for two hours.
"That was the scariest dinner of my life."
Arion glanced at him.
"You did well."
Lian smiled shyly.
"You helped a lot."
A beat of silence.
Then Arion said quietly:
"…I meant what I said."
Lian looked up. "About?"
"That I care."
Lian's breath caught.
Arion quickly added, almost flustered,
"In a responsible, fiancé-related way. Nothing more."
"Oh," Lian whispered, trying not to look disappointed.
But Arion looked away — ears faintly red.
"…For now," he muttered.
Lian blinked.
"…What?"
"Nothing," Arion said quickly. "Get in the car."
But he opened the door for Lian.
And as Lian stepped in—
Arion's hand brushed his waist.
A soft, warm touch.
Gentle.
Protective.
Lingering.
Maybe on accident.
Maybe not.
Lian's heart beat faster.
And Arion… didn't deny the way he looked at him.